Want to shop with your dog? Well-mannered, leashed dogs are welcome in an increasing number of dog friendly stores–and not only pet supply shops!
If you’d like to take your dog shopping with you, we’ve got you covered in this article with information on:
- a list of over 100 national store chains that have many dog-friendly locations
- how to know if your dog is ready for shopping
- the rules of shopping with your dog
- determining if a store is dog-friendly
100+ Dog Friendly Stores in 2024
Remember: pet policies vary from location to location based on local ordinances, accessibility to an outside entrance (if located inside an indoor mall), and sometimes even on the store manager’s wishes. Give these stores, each of which has dog-friendly locations, a call to see if your local store welcomes four-legged shoppers! And down in our FAQ, you’ll find more ways to determine if a store is dog friendly.
Below you’ll find a list of over 100 stores that, in many locations, are dog-friendly.
Note: we said IN MANY LOCATIONS. Typically companies do not make a company-wide policy about dog shoppers but, instead, leave it up to local store managers. Local ordinances may restrict dog policies or a store may have had a bad experience in the past. The only way to know for certain if your local store is dog-friendly is to make a quick call.
Which type of stores are NOT dog friendly? Typically, you will always find a NO pet dog policy at any store that sells food including grocery stores. (Farmers’ markets, held in open-air settings, often welcome dogs, however!)
Beauty
- Bath and Body Works
- LUSH Cosmetics
- MAC Cosmetics
- MALIN+GOETZ
- Sephora
Bookstores
- Barnes and Noble: It’s worth noting that if a Barnes & Noble store has a cafe either inside the store or attached to it, this might restrict your dog’s access. Before bringing your dog to Barnes & Noble, it is best to clarify the store’s policy.
- Half Price Books
Fashion
- Abercrombie and Fitch
- American Eagle Outfitters
- Ann Taylor
- Anthropologie
- Banana Republic
- Barney’s New York
- Bergdorf Goodman
- Bloomingdale’s
- Chico’s
- Coach
- Designer Shoe Warehouse
- Everlane: Another dog-friendly store is Everlane, an ethical clothing brand that supports fair wages, reasonable working hours, and environmental policies in its factories. In addition to their commitment to sustainability, Everlane welcomes dogs in all of their stores.
- Free People
- Gap
- J. Jill
- Kenneth Cole
- Knot Standard
- Lane Bryant
- Lululemon Athletica
- Macy’s
- Marshalls
- Nordstrom
- Nordstrom’s The Rack
- Old Navy: Similarly to their parent company, The Gap, Old Navy has a policy that may vary depending on the individual store. Therefore, to determine whether or not you can bring your dog to Old Navy, it is advisable to contact your local store in advance and inquire about their specific pet policy.
- Ross
- Rye 51
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Saks OFF 5TH
- Simon Premium Outlets
- Talbots
- TJ Maxx
- Tommy Bahama
- Urban Outfitters
- Victoria’s Secret
- Warby Parker: Warby Parker, a popular eyewear retailer, has a strong love for dogs evident from their Instagram where they regularly post pictures of dogs trying on their frames. They even have a dedicated page on their website for dogs and include gluten-free dog treats with every order. While their dog-friendly policy may vary depending on factors like mall or shopping center locations, Warby Parker generally welcomes pet dogs in the majority of their stores. You can reach out to them via social media to inquire about specific store policies.
Hardware, Home Repair, Auto
- Ace Hardware
- AutoZone
- Blain’s Farm and Fleet (NOTE: the Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin stores are dog-friendly; only service dogs are permitted in the Michigan store locations)
- Harley Davidson Store
- Lowe’s
- Lumber Liquidators
- Harbor Freight
- Pep Boys
- The Home Depot (please read our Home Depot post first before visiting with your dog)
- Tractor Supply Co.
Hobby
- Hobby Lobby
- JoAnn Fabrics
- Michaels
Home Decor
- At Home
- Crate & Barrel
- Ethan Allen
- HomeGoods
- HomeSense
- Kirkland Home Stores
- Living Spaces (small dogs only)
- Pottery Barn
- Restoration Hardware
- The Container Store
- West Elm
- White House Black Market
- William Sonoma
- Yankee Candle
Jewelry
- Alex and Ani
- Diamonds Direct
- Jared – The Galleria of Jewelry
- Kendra Scott
- Pandora
- Tiffany & Co.
Pet Supply Stores
Pet supply stores are almost always dog-friendly. These can be great “starter” stores if your dog is new to shopping–since other shoppers will understand if your dog’s behavior isn’t picture perfect!
- Pet Supplies Plus
- Pet Valu
- Pet Supermarket
- PetSmart
- Petco
- Woof Gang Bakery
Sports + Outdoors
- Academy Sports + Outdoors
- Bass Pro Shops
- Cabela’s
- Camping World
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
- Field and Stream (Update: many Field and Stream stores are being incorporated into Dick’s Sporting Goods stores)
- Gander Outdoors
- Great Outdoor Provision Co.
- L.L. Bean: With the exception of their flagship store in Maine, where only service dogs are admitted, L.L.Bean welcomes pet dogs in all of their stores across America. You might even find your dog showcased on their Facebook page!
- Orvis
- Patagonia
- Scheels
- Sierra (formerly Sierra Trading Post)
- Sportsman’s Warehouse
Tech
- Apple Store
Should You Take Your Dog Shopping?
OK, we all know that shopping sometimes can be a little stressful–and that holds true for our dogs, too!
Before you get ready to hit the stores with your dog, determine if your dog is a good candidate for shopping right now. He might need additional training and socialization–or might be more of a hiking buddy than a shopping buddy.
Ask yourself:
- Is my dog OK with new situations? Will your dog be comfortable going to new locations and seeing new people (and possibly other dogs) without pulling at the leash or barking?
- Does my dog have basic obedience skills including sit, watch me, and leave it?
- Does my dog walk politely with me on leash? Shopping doesn’t require precision heeling but your dog needs to remain near you on leash, politely moving out of the way of other shoppers.
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, you’ll want to do some additional training with your dog.
Visit local parks and practice walking your dog near other people, on leash. Ask your dog to watch you or sit while distractions are occurring. And check out local positive reinforcement trainers who can help work on your dog’s training, socialization, and self-confidence in new situations.
The Rules for Shopping with Your Dog
Regardless of the store, you’ll need to follow some basic rules when bringing your dog to a store.
If your dog isn’t able to consistently do these activities, return to your training–and to a professional dog trainer, if needed–to work on these skills.
Stores are only appropriate for non-reactive dogs who are dependable in a public setting.
Once you decide your dog is ready for a store visit, here are some helpful tips to make those first shopping trips a success:
Call first. Rules change. Managers change. While one store location might welcome you and your dog, another location of the same retail chain might have a strict no-dogs policy. Give your local store a call first and just ask: Is your store location dog-friendly?
Never, ever lie about your dog being a service dog. Please, please, please remember to only go to stores that welcome PET dogs. Never lie about your dog being a highly-trained service dog. It is illegal (and punishments are getting more serious in some states) and just plain wrong. You’ll find plenty of shops above that welcome pet dogs at many locations; if you need to visit a store that isn’t dog-friendly (like a grocery store or any store that sells food), please leave your dog at home for a good nap and surprise him with a goody when you return! A trained service dog that is required to assist you is allowed in any store under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); this does NOT include emotional support dogs.
Potty first. Make sure your dog is walked and has had the chance to potty before entering a store.
Pack a short leash. Stores are not the place for an extendable leash or even an long, fixed leash. I use a four-foot-long leash whenever entering a store with a dog, and often hold this leash even shorter.
Start slowly. Start with the easiest stores–pet supply stores. They’re accustomed to dogs in the store and, if your dog gets too excited and lets out a bark, it’s not going to shock anyone. From there, work your way up to garden centers, smaller hardware stores and feed stores, then finally boutiques and large (often noisy) home centers.
Visit at a quiet time. On your dog’s first visit to a store, visit during off hours. Your first visit might not even include any shopping–you might just practice entering the store (especially if your dog isn’t accustomed to automatic doors) and walking a few aisles.
No barking. Your dog needs to be able to politely walk the aisles at your side without barking at other shoppers, merchandise, or another dog in the store.
Give other shoppers plenty of room. Move out of the way of other shoppers and carts, keeping your dog at your side on a short leash. A good “watch me” command, accompanied by a small training treat, is really useful on crowded aisles.
Remember that everyone may not love your dog. It’s hard to believe but, yes, there are those out there who don’t like or are uncomfortable with dogs. The goal is for your dog to quietly accompany you, stopping when you stop, not trying to greet other people.
Clean up any accidents. To prevent potty accidents in the store, remember our suggestion above and walk your dog before entering–and keep a close eye, especially on male dogs, around columns or other features that previous four-legged shoppers could have potentially marked in the past. If your dog has a potty accident, clean it up immediately. Along with the poop bags in my dog walking bag, I also pack a YUCKY PUPPY poop bag carrier for dogs with a few folded paper towels and hand sanitizer just in case an accident should ever occur.
Watch your dog’s body language. Is your dog getting stressed? It’s time to cut the shopping short. Keep a close eye on your dog’s body language, looking for signs of stress like yawning, lip licking, stiffness, and more, especially when your dog is encountering new things (automatic doors, shopping carts, loudspeaker announcements, beeping sounds caused by loaders at home supply stores, etc.)
FAQ
What’s one of the most dog-friendly stores?
The store that has a pet-friendly policy clearly outlined on their website is JOANN Fabrics. JOANN Fabrics’ pet-friendly policy requires that pets display good manners, have up-to-date vaccinations, be leashed or carried, and maintain cleanliness and consideration for others.
Additionally, their website includes a specific page dedicated to the policy, which offers a convenient store search feature. This allows pet owners to easily identify whether their nearest JOANN Fabrics store is pet-friendly, as they are denoted with a recognizable pet icon.
Which stores are not dog friendly?
Why is it important to check for dog-friendly establishments before heading out with your pup?
It is important to check for dog-friendly establishments before heading out with your pup to ensure a positive experience for both you and your furry friend.
By knowing which establishments are pet-friendly, you can plan your outings accordingly and avoid any inconvenience or disappointment.
Is it necessary to call each store individually or is there a more efficient method?
While calling each store individually is one way to inquire about their pet policy, there are other methods available. You can also utilize online resources like Yelp reviews or the store’s social media pages to check if they are dog-friendly. Remember, though, that many stores have dog-friendly policies at some store locations but not all.
Can I visit the store without my dog to inquire about their pet policy?
Yes, you can visit the store without your dog to inquire about their pet policy. You can simply stop by and ask the store staff if they allow dogs inside their establishment.
What are alternative methods to calling a store to find out if it is dog-friendly?
Besides calling, you can send a direct message, tweet, or email the store to ask if they are dog-friendly.